Biomedical subjects

Stella L Volpe

Publications and source records attributed to Stella L Volpe.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

School-based obesity prevention: Research, challenges, and recommendations.

Childhood overweight is one of the most serious problems currently affecting individual and public health. Schools represent a logical site for prevention because children spend 6-8 hours a day there during most of the year. Although reports of school-based overweight or obesity prevention programs exist, there are no summaries specifying which interventions are effective in preventing weight gain in the school environment. Researchers generally consider randomized controlled trials to be the most reliable and valid findings; so, naturally they are the best for providing evidence on which to base curriculum and policy guidelines. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of school-based randomized controlled studies intended to prevent increases in schoolchildren's body weight or body mass index. This paper addresses the successes and other positive health outcomes, as well as the limitations of the school-based research. The goal of this paper is to assist school health administrators with curriculum decisions related to overweight or obesity prevention in schools. Following the critique, the challenges of childhood overweight or obesity prevention are discussed, and recommendations for further research, school activities, and policy changes are made.

Child↗

PubMed2005

Quantitation of carnosine in humans plasma after dietary consumption of beef.

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is a dipeptide found in the muscle foods that has been postulated to be a bioactive food component. The objective of this research was to determine the concentration of carnosine in human plasma after ingestion of beef. Nine males and nine females were recruited for the study. Food devoid of meat products was given to the subjects so that they did not consume carnosine for 48 h prior to the test. Subjects fasted for 12 h and then had blood withdrawn prior to a meal containing 200 g of ground beef. Additional blood samples were collected over the following 24 h and carnosine concentrations were determined by HPLC. The cooked ground beef used in the study contained 52% water, 24% protein, 22% fat, and 124 mg of carnosine/100 g of beef. No plasma carnosine was detected in subjects before the consumption of the beef. Carnosine was detected in plasma 15 min after beef consumption. Plasma carnosine concentrations continued to increase with a maximum (32.7 mg of carnosine/L of plasma) being recorded 2.5 h after consumption. Carnosine concentrations then decreased until no carnosine could be detected at 5.5 h postconsumption. These results indicate that dietary carnosine is absorbed into human plasma after the consumption of beef. Since carnosine has several potential health benefits, evidence of its bioavailability suggests that it could be a bioactive food component.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Body cell mass measured by total body potassium in normal-weight and obese men and women.

OBJECTIVE: Total body potassium (TBK) concentration is linearly correlated with the size of the body cell mass (BCM). The aim of this study was to compare BCM in normal-weight and obese individuals. METHODS: 271 individuals (207 males, 64 females), 20 to 67 years of age, participated in this study. Subjects were separated by body mass index (BMI): BMI < 25 kg/m(2) (BMI-L) and BMI > 25 kg/m(2) (BMI-H). (40)K was assessed using a whole-body counter and BCM was calculated. RESULTS: BCM and TBK were significantly greater in men, with a trend to be greater in women in BMI-H compared to men in BMI-L. TBK/body weight was significantly lower, while TBK/height was significantly greater for men and women in BMI-H compared to men and women in BMI-L. Fat-free mass (FFM) was significantly greater for men in BMI-H, with no significant differences in FFM between the two groups of women. CONCLUSIONS: The healthy obese subjects in the present study had a greater BCM than the non-obese subjects. These results indicate that it is important to assess BCM in obese individuals because it could influence the type of weight loss regimen that will be used in order to preserve BCM.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2003

The physiological effects of dietary boron.

Boron may be an essential nutrient for animals and humans. Dietary boron influences the activity of many metabolic enzymes, as well as the metabolism of steroid hormones and several micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Boron supplementation in rats and chicks has been shown to increase bone strength. Boron may also play a role in improving arthritis, plasma lipid profiles, and brain function. Additional research is necessary to further clarify boron's influence in human and animal physiology, as well as determine a dietary requirement for humans.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Magnesium and exercise.

Magnesium is an essential element that regulates membrane stability and neuromuscular, cardiovascular, immune, and hormonal functions and is a critical cofactor in many metabolic reactions. The Dietary Reference Intake for magnesium for adults is 310 to 420 mg/day. However, the intake of magnesium in humans is often suboptimal. Magnesium deficiency may lead to changes in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular function. Physical exercise may deplete magnesium, which, together with a marginal dietary magnesium intake, may impair energy metabolism efficiency and the capacity for physical work. Magnesium assessment has been a challenge because of the absence of an accurate and convenient assessment method. Recently, magnesium has been touted as an agent for increasing athletic performance. This article reviews the various studies that have been conducted to investigate the relationship of magnesium and exercise.

Adolescent↗